– After an investigation into the accidental fire at Mac’s Original Barbecue in Gregory, Texas, officials “believe the carbon build-up on the walls and the grease residue helped fuel the fire that spread rapidly.” No word on a possible reopening.

– The San Antonio Express News profiled Laura Loomis, the pitmaster at Two Bros. BBQ Market.

– KENS in San Antonio headed out to Helotes to try the new B-Daddy’s BBQ.

– Make your own McRib:

– Robert Moss of the Charleston City Paper makes the case for Charleston’s barbecue scene as the future of barbecue.

– Boudin is the most famous sausage of Louisiana, and Smithsonian Magazine tells us how that came to be.

– James “Jackie” Hite, the founder and whole hog pitmaster of South Carolina’s Jackie Hite’s Bar-B-Que has passed away.

– The Houston Chronicle has released its list of the 100 top restaurants in the city, and Killen’s Barbecue is #5. Also making the list are Brooks Place BBQ, Corkscrew BBQ, Gatlin’s BBQ, Pappa Charlie’s Barbeque, and Roegel’s Barbecue Co.